Underwood adds a key piece to the puzzle

CHAMPAIGN – There’s one thing that Brad Underwood’s first two big recruiting victories as Illini basketball coach have in common.

Illini freshman Mark Smith was already named last season’s Mr. Basketball in Illinois as a prep senior at Edwardsville, capping stunning rise for a player who once considered his future was best on the baseball diamond. Smith was the first Illini player to earn the state’s top prep honor since 2010.

Chicago Morgan Park senior point guard Ayo Dosunmu is already considered the best player in his class and the leading candidate to earn this year’s Mr. Basketball award. When he made it official with the Illini Wednesday on the first day of the fall signing period, Dosunmu became the highest ranked recruit to join the Illini since Dee Brown in 2002.

“It’s not a good day,’’ Underwood said. “It’s a great day in Illini basketball history.’’